Ben de Graaf from Groningen, the Netherlands is searching for his Dutch brother Dirk Hendrik (Dick) de Graaf who moved to Australia in the early 60’s.
They’ve lost contact more than forty years ago and now he would love to speak to him again, even if it’s only once.

Dirk Hendrik (Dick) de Graaf was born 22 July 1943 in Amsterdam. His father was Hendrik (or Henk) de Graaf, born 9 July 1918. His mother was Hennie De Graaf-Meijerink, born 29 September 1917. He was the eldest of four children. He has two younger brothers (Wim and Ben) and a sister (Marijke). The family lived in Amsterdam and moved in 1959 to Groningen (address Laan van de Vrijheid 90).

Dick left for Australia on 11 May 1962 by boat (probably the ss Almdijk) and arrived in Sydney somewhere around 16 June 1962.

My mother was named Augusta Ryckoort. She lived in Eeklo and worked in Gent during the 2nd World War in Belgium. It was there that she met my biological father.
He was Canadien and stationed in Gent – his name was Herbert. They had a short but beautiful relationship, but it wasn’t meant to be, because he was called to the front.

There ends my father’s story – nothing is known of him since then, but the story didn’t end there for my mother – she was pregnant and was expecting me.
She never heard of Herbert again and – to my regrets – she never wanted to talk mutch about him. It is unknown if he was killed in the war or if he is still alive.

A while later, my mother met another man, Julien, and married him. He raised me as his own child and took care of my other brother and sister. We didn’t have a lot, but we were happy.

Today I am 71 years old and I have been trying to find my biological father for all my life, without results.

It is my greatest wish to find out more about Herbert, my biological father: is he still alive or how and when did he die? Do I have any other (half) brothers or sisters?
The only information I have about him, is his name (Herbert) and a picture. I send you the picture in attachment.

If you have any information of any leads whatsoever, please contact me.

It was around 1970 when we met on a camping in Playa d’Aro in Spain. You and your wife were travelling through Europe in a Morris Minor with a wooden rooftop frame (like on the picture). We where riding a motorbike.

Going back to England you stayed with us in Rotterdam for a couple of days. You lived in a town with a funny name in Canada (British Columbia).

Im looking for my half brother. I’m pretty sure he was born January 10th 1985 in Southend on Sea. His mothers name is Suzanne or Susan. She was with my father before my mother. His name was Gordon Richard Crawford born in Margate Kent. I would be so grateful for any help in finding him. I have thought about him for years and have longed to meet him.